Early Spring Rains Help Area Farmers’ Harvest

According to the University of Missouri Extension Agricultural Business Specialist and Co-County Program Director Brent Carpenter, overall, it’s been a good harvest year for area farmers.

Carpenter spoke to the Sedalia Democrat recently. In the article Carpenter stated the heavy rains during the Spring may have actually helped the farmers. Due to delays and various planting times, the corn crop was harvested earlier than usual and soybeans are almost at the halfway point. With it being the third week of October, a 50% harvest rate is somewhat a rarity at this time of year.

If you talk to area cattle farmers, they'll most likely agree that some early Autumn rains are beneficial and much needed to help with the fall grazing. Some hayfields weren't cut at all due to the moisture,.i.e., causing possible digestive problems with the plants that were available.

For the farmers that are looking at the forecast for the potential of rainfall in the area, the National Weather Service has predicted chances of rain Friday and Saturday.